Sima Mingyue's face turned red. He only had about 10,000 taels on him, and usually spending a few dozen taels at a brothel was considered extravagant. Even the most famous courtesans in the Northwest Prefecture charged at most 1,000 taels for their first night, and usually only 100 taels thereafter.
He had come to Fu City to appreciate Moon Shadow's renowned talents, but he hadn't expected Su Hao to show up and throw money around so recklessly. 100,000 taels could buy dozens of top courtesans.
Of course, even if Sima Mingyue had that kind of money, he wouldn't waste it on a courtesan. He'd use it to improve his cultivation. The costs of cultivation were enormous, and he figured this wastrel Su Hao only had money to throw around because he didn't cultivate.
"Su Hao, are you sure you want to make an enemy of me? Think carefully," Sima Mingyue said threateningly, his eyes flashing coldly.
"If you don't have the money, stop talking trash. Your threats mean nothing to me," Su Hao replied disdainfully.
"You!" Sima Mingyue's eyes narrowed. He stood up and said in a low voice, "Su Hao, I'll remember this. You'd better hope you don't fall into my hands, or I'll show you how formidable I am."
"Remember me? That's disgusting coming from another man. Just get out of here!" Su Hao retorted, not wanting to waste words.
Sima Mingyue left without another word, his face dark.
"Young Master Su, here are your bank notes. Please take them back," Moon Shadow said, picking up the notes from the table once Sima Mingyue had left.
"What, are you trying to get rid of me? I was planning to spend the night here," Su Hao said, not taking the notes. As a playboy, he couldn't take back money he'd already put out.
Moon Shadow looked at Su Hao, a bit dazed. She had just received 1,000 taels from him earlier, and now he was offering 100,000 taels. She didn't know what to say.
"Keep it. I might be leaving Fu City for a while soon. This money might be useful to you," Su Hao said gently, holding Moon Shadow's soft, cool hand.
"You're leaving Fu City? Are you going to the prefectural capital? But you just offended Sima Mingyue. Won't he cause trouble for you there?" Moon Shadow asked, concerned.
"I'm not going to the prefectural capital. I might be going to a smaller county, so don't worry," Su Hao reassured her. "I'm tired today. Could you give me a massage? I'll sleep here tonight."
Su Hao lay down on the couch, remembering the tender moments from the previous night.
"Young Master!" Moon Shadow looked at the bank notes in her hand, then at Su Hao lying on the couch. Her clear eyes flashed with emotion. She knew Su Hao had left so much money to protect her from trouble.
She put away the notes and gently placed Su Hao's head on her soft, straight legs. Her slender, white hands began to massage him. At first, a cool sensation flowed from her fingers into Su Hao's head. As she increased the pressure, a faint warmth spread into his mind, relaxing him.
Soon, Su Hao began to snore softly. Moon Shadow looked at him tenderly, then leaned down and kissed him lightly. She carefully covered him with a thin blanket and stood up, walking to the window to gaze at the moon, lost in thought.
"Miss, Sima Mingyue has left. Should we continue to approach him?" The heavily made-up madam of the brothel appeared behind Moon Shadow.
"Sima Mingyue is a key figure in this generation of the Sima family. We need to stay in contact with him if we want a chance at revenge," Moon Shadow said softly.
"Miss, although he's young, Sima Mingyue seems cunning. It might be difficult to manipulate him," the madam warned.
"He's cultivating the Sima family's Frost Palm technique and has just reached the third level. Secretly let him know that the Blue Cloud Stronghold has a Frost Pearl that could help his cultivation. I think he'll be tempted," Moon Shadow said, her eyes flashing coldly. "Once he makes a move, we can use him."
"Yes, I'll arrange it immediately," the madam replied.
"Here's 100,000 taels. Use some for our people in the stronghold and get me the secret medicine to improve my strength with the rest," Moon Shadow said, handing over the money Su Hao had given her.
The madam was shocked by the amount but took the notes carefully. "This is from Young Master Su? When did he become so generous?"
"He took out 100,000 taels to outbid Sima Mingyue for a night with me," Moon Shadow explained, smiling slightly. "When I tried to return it, he insisted I keep it since he's leaving Fu City soon. We need the money, so I accepted."
"Miss, although Young Master Su seems unambitious, he treats you well. If not for our family's vendetta, he might be worthy of your lifelong commitment," the madam sighed, bowing as she left the room. She instructed the staff not to disturb Su Hao in Moon Shadow's room.